Brazilians take to streets to protest Rousseff impeachment process

Brasilia, May 11 (IANS) Supporters of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff took to the streets to protest an impeachment process against her, blocking roads and public transport systems in at least 13 states and the Federal District.

The protests came a day before the Senate votes on whether to start the impeachment process and temporarily remove Rousseff from her position over charges of breaking budget laws.

Apart from the Federal District, the protests also staged in the states of Bahia, Ceara, Espirito Santo, Maranhao, Minas Gerais, Paraiba, Parana, Pernambuco, Piaui, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul and Sao Paulo.

The protests were organized by Brazil People’s Front, which is made up of 60 social organisations.

The organisers said the impeachment process represents a “coup d’etat against Brazil and the Brazilian people, as well as a lack of respect for the citizen’s vote.”

The president of Brazil’s Unified Workers’ Central, Vagner Freitas, said that the impeachment is aimed at bringing in a new government headed by Vice President Michel Temer to remove historic rights from workers.

The full Senate will vote on whether to begin the impeachment process against Rousseff on Wednesday.

If the motion is approved, Rousseff will be temporarily removed from office for up to 180 days, leaving Vice President Temer to take over as interim president during her trial.